USC basketball senior Jio Fontan expects to be emotional at final home game

When Heisman Trophy-winner Matt Leinart played his last game at the Coliseum, he famously cried in the locker room before the game because he was so moved by the situation.

USC point guard Jio Fontan will go through similar emotions today when he plays his final game at the Galen Center when the Trojans face Arizona State at noon.

"It's a game I'm not looking forward to," Fontan said. "I want to soak it all up and not let emotions get the best of me. It's going to mean a lot."

Fontan sat out parts of two seasons after transferring from Fordham and missed last season with a knee injury, so his career gave him plenty of life lessons.

"I developed a lot here and I'll think about the impact it had on me more as a man than a player," Fontan said.

Other seniors playing their final game include forwards Eric Wise, Aaron Fuller and Renaldo Woolridge along with center James Blasczyk. Wise played only one season after transferring from UC Irvine.

"It seemed like only yesterday I (transferred) here," Wise said. "I'm happy I came here."

It could also be interim coach Bob Cantu's final game as the Trojans' coach, although athletic director Pat Haden said this week, "We are in the search for a new basketball coach and Bob is certainly going to be given a chance to win that job."

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon remains the frontrunner for the job. New Mexico coach Steve Alford and Virginia coach Tony Bennett are also candidates.